Petrol Price Up Again!

[I find this article simple, direct and meaningful. It is written by YB Fong Po Kuan (冯宝君), MP for Batu Gajah. http://pokuan.blogsome.com/ ]


Petrol and Diesel Hike, “For the Best Interest of the People” - Suggest PM and Ministers Cut Their Own Pay and Allowances

I received a call about 11 pm yesterday and he asked, “What does the deny 2/3 majority in Parliament means? Why did the petrol increase by 40 percent?”

I told him that I am equally unhappy too with the petrol hike. Then, I explained that BN is still the government of the day and petrol is a matter under Federal government. He then asked, “The government do not need to go through Parliament for the increase of the petrol?” I said , “No, because this does not requires the passing of law, for the increase.” I also told him that Lim Kit Siang will hold a protest in Ipoh the next morning. (today)

I am expecting the same remarks will be made by the leadership of BN. Let me start by listing these few familiar lines:-

1. Change lifestyle
2. Spend wisely
3. The petrol is still cheaper than other countries
4. The government could not be further burden by the subsidy

What has happened to the RM 4.4 billion, an amount of subsidy which would be saved (we were told), when the increase of 30 cent in February, 2006 was announced? Please let me know if the public transport system has improved?

What about BN leaderships spending lifestlye? I am only concern of public funds, your money and my money.

Look at how they spent
1. RM 100 million on renovation of Parliament building and leaks thereafter;
2. National Astronaut Programme - RM 40 million;
3. National Service Training Programme - yearly an estimate of RM 500 million;
4. Eye on Malaysia -RM 30 million and another RM5.7 million of free ticket
5. RM 4.6 billion, ’soft-loan’ to PKFZ
6. RM 2.4 million of indelible ink

Where have the profits made by Petronas spent? Can we get a specific figures for specific projects which were for the interest of the public at large?

I am also expecting the Minister of Consumer appealing to the traders not to increase the prices of their goods, then, we will see the Minister making his rounds in the market. This will be followed with action taken against traders.

Other public transport may be requesting for charges to be increased.

We may read something along this line too in the next few days, “which is better, increase 78 cents at once or 40 cents twice in a year? ”

Why are we reacting angrily to this hike announcement? I am not an economist. I am not trying to be unreasonable by refusing to understand. Is just that I am not convinced that what the minister’s collective decision is “for the best interest of the people.”

Is the PM and Ministers willing to have their pay and allowances cut? Is the PM and Ministers willing to reduce their visits to overseas? Perhaps, cut down on the number of delegations? Also, stop holding meetings in 5 stars hotel.

It is about poor governing, lack of transparency and accountability. Oh! I should not miss out this important factor, - Leadership Crisis.

Transport in Ho Chi Minh City - Motorcycles

I was in Ho Chi Minh City for four nights.

One thing that strikes most visitors to this prospering city in Southern Vietnam is its modes of transportation. If you walk in the city, you have to be careful that you are not knocked down by a motorcycle. However, the swarm of motocyclists seem to have the highest order out of the disorders on the streets! Over the five days, not a single accident was sighted.

You would see ladies on scooters going to work, well dressed as well as well proected!

Rain? There is no problem at all. All kinds of raincoats are being used. You can see skirt-wearing pillion riders sitting sideway which is illegal in other places!

I went for a round-the-city trip on a motorcycle. The driver-on-hire has a management degree and used to work with a Japanese company.

There are more funs on the motorbike than on the tour bus, you can bet!